Kylian Mbappe ended a 297-day wait for a goal against Elche as Real Madrid secured a dramatic 3-2 victory at the Martinez Valero on Tuesday in the sixth round of the 2026-27 Spanish league season.
Mbappe scored Real Madrid’s second goal and later provided the assist for Carlos Espi’s stoppage-time winner as Jose Mourinho’s side recovered from surrendering a two-goal advantage to claim all three points.
The match in Alicante, watched by almost 31,000 supporters, appeared to be under Real Madrid’s control after they established a 2-0 lead before half-time.
Elche defender Diogo Dettori put the ball into his own net in the 25th minute before Mbappe doubled the visitors’ advantage eight minutes later.
Elche refused to concede defeat, however, and produced a second-half comeback. Osorio reduced the deficit in the 71st minute before Niño completed the recovery with an equaliser in the 83rd minute.
With the match heading towards a draw, Mourinho introduced young Spanish striker Carlos Espi, who made the decisive contribution in the 91st minute.
Espi found the winning goal from a pass supplied by Mbappe, completing a dramatic ending and giving Real Madrid a 3-2 victory.
The result also ended Mbappe’s long wait for a goal against Elche.
Elche had been the only side the France international had faced in La Liga without scoring against. His goal means he has now found the net against all 23 teams he has played against in the competition since joining Real Madrid.
The drought had lasted 297 days and dated back to Mbappe’s first meeting with Elche on 23 November 2025, also at the Martinez Valero. That game ended 2-2 after a late goal from Jude Bellingham.
Mbappe’s latest strike was his 63rd La Liga goal in 71 appearances.
Real Sociedad remains the team against whom he has scored most often in the Spanish league, with seven goals. Villarreal follow with five, while Barcelona, Sevilla, Betis, Celta Vigo and Alaves have each conceded four goals to the French forward.
Mbappe’s latest goal also strengthened his position at the top of the La Liga scoring standings. He now has seven goals, one ahead of Yamal, Rafinha and Camillo, who have each scored six.
The French forward is now targeting a third consecutive Pichichi Trophy, an achievement that would represent another landmark in his Real Madrid career.
Mbappe finished as La Liga’s leading scorer during his first season with Real Madrid after scoring 31 goals. He then retained the award the following campaign with 25 goals.
The 297-day wait to score against Elche is now over, and Mbappe’s goal and assist proved decisive in a match that Real Madrid appeared to have under control before the hosts fought their way back into the contest.
With seven goals already this season, the Frenchman has once again placed himself at the centre of the race for the Spanish league’s scoring crown.
